Arsene Wenger wrongly congratulated his former player George Weah for winning the Liberian presidential election on Thursday.

The Arsenal boss was seemingly the victim of false reports which suggested that the former Monaco and AC Milan star was successful in his bid for the top job in his native Liberia, despite results not yet having been confirmed.

"I would like to congratulate one of my former players, who became president of Liberia," the Frenchman said in his pre-Watford press conference.

"It is not often that you have a former player who becomes a president of a country," he continued.

(Image: Offside Sports Photography)

George Weah with his European Football of the Year award in 1996 (Image: Getty)

"Well done George and I would say just for him to keep his enthusiasm and his desire to learn and to win."

Weah, winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1995, was one of 20 candidates in Tuesday's presidential election.

This is the third time Weah has run for office (Image: Getty)

It is his third tilt at the job, but he is one of the front-runners to replace current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Results are expected shortly, with most political commentators expecting it to go to a second round, as candidates need more than a 50 per cent vote share to claim an outright win.

Weah was coached by Wenger at Monaco, with the pair building a special relationship which culminated in Weah dedicating his World Player of the Year award to his former manager.